ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Environmental Protection Agency is aware of potential issues in the region’s water, soil, and wells and are working to evaluate health concerns, officials said at the latest Buncombe County storm briefing.

Anyone with concerns about their water, wells or soil is urged to exercise an abundance of caution and wait for assurance from the experts that those are safe. If you have a well and aren’t sure if your water is safe to drink, boil it at a minimum for one minute or use it only for flushing toilets.

Environmental Health is working to ensure flooded wells or wells that were damaged during the storm provide safe water for use at home. A flooded well is a well where water was over the top of the well at any point during the storm. Wells may also receive structural damage. If a well was either flooded or damaged during the storm, it must be disinfected. Instructions can be found on buncombeready.org.

Once the well is disinfected, call 828-250-5016 and some one will come out to collect a water sample. That number will be active starting Monday.

Geotagging photo tool

Buncombe County launched a new online tool that allows residents to upload geotagged photos of storm-related emergency issues as blocked roads, landslides, and urgent needs for evacuation, supplies, or medicine. This information will allow emergency crews to respond faster and with more accuracy. Access the tool and submit photos at report.buncombecounty.org. Do not use the ‘Take Photo or Video’ option as it will not transmit location info.

Open burning

Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency encourages residents to wait at least three days to let materials dry out before burning as that will help reduce emissions. Be sure to be at least 15 feet away from structures and in three-foot piles.

Open burning of leaves, brush, and yard trimmings is permitted on burning days between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. To find out if it is a burn day, check abairquality.org or call 828-250-6767.

You are allowed to burn anywhere that does not receive public yard waste pick-up.

The burning of household trash, building materials, asphaltic materials, cardboard, processed wood, and papers is always PROHIBITED.

Burning is not allowed in the city of Asheville, and the towns of Biltmore Forest, Black Mountain, Montreat, Weaverville or Woodfin.

Restaurants

Environmental Health staff is visiting food service establishments and providing information to operators on how they can reopen for business as safely and as quickly as possible. Establishments can call or text 828-772-2820 to request an assessment. They can also email ehrequest@buncombecounty.org and include “restaurant” in subject line.

Childcare Centers

Operators of childcare centers should reach out to their licensed childcare consultant for guidance on safely reopening.

Free food and water

Virtelle Hospitality will provide free hot meals and drinking water on Saturday, October 5, starting at 12:30 p.m. at the Quality Inn & Suites, 1430 Tunnel Road, Asheville. Bring containers for water.

Food and water distribution sites

Food and water distribution sites are open until 7 p.m. or supplies run out. Please bring containers to refill water.

  • William W. Estes Elementary School – 275 Overlook Road, Asheville
  • Sand Hill Elementary – 154 Sand Hill School Road, Asheville (Please enter via Acton Circle)
  • North Windy Ridge Intermediate School – 20 Doan Road, Weaverville
  • Fairview Elementary School – 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview
  • Black Mountain Ingles – 550 NC-9, Black Mountain
  • Cane Middle Creek Middle – 570 Lower Brush Creek Road, Fletcher
  • Leicester Elementary School – 31 Gilbert Road, Leicester

The city of Asheville also has sites.

  • Asheville Middle School: 211 S. French Broad Avenue, Asheville – Until 7 p.m.
  • Lindwood Crump Shiloh Community Center: 121 Shiloh Road, Asheville – Until 7 p.m.
  • Pack Square Park: 70 Court Plaza beginning at 1 p.m. until dark.
  • Lucy Herring Elementary School, 98 Sulphur Springs Road. Open 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Donation center

A hurricane relief warehouse is open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. daily at 6 Commerce Way in Arden for donations.

Accept: Non-perishable, ready-to-eat food, bottled water, clean-up supplies, paper goods, baby supplies, pet supplies, personal care items

Cannot accept: Baby food, glass items, furniture, clothing, perishable food, electronics, or flammable liquids. Donations are distributed by community partners and are not available for pick-up at this location.

Medical clinic

Community Paramedics are operating a Medical Clinic that is now up and running in Black Mountain at 12 Florida Avenue in Black Mountain and can provide medical care of any non-medical (urgent care) needs except for withdrawals. They are operating 24/7.

The medical examiner has paused updates on fatalities. A state support team is being set up, and more information will be shared when available.

HCA Mission Hospital

The hospital has been operational through the entirety of the storm. It has stable power but is without municipal water. However, it has pressurized, potable water within the facility. This requires 40-50 tanks of water to feed the hospital system. Outpatient clinics and care settings are opening as power is being restored and as they are deemed safe.

VA Hospital

The medical center at 1100 Tunnel Road in Asheville is operating under emergency generator and traditional power 24/7 for emergencies and inpatient services. It is able to do limited surgical internet on an emergency basis. Routine appointments have been canceled, but those with acute needs have been scheduled.

Veterans who need medications can come to the VA pharmacy or call 855-679-0074 and press 1. The hospital has started to home visits for high-risk veterans with safe, accessible roads. It is also delivering home oxygen and respiratory therapy.

FEMA

There are more than 700 FEMA personnel on the ground in North Carolina, and 1,300 urban search and rescue personnel. In Buncombe County, FEMA has approved 14,000 applications and more than $12 million has been dispersed to disaster survivors. To register for Disaster Assistance, call 1-800-621-FEMA or visit disasterassistance.gov. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are out in the community today at the WNC Agricultural Center at 1801 Fanning Bridge Road in Fletcher, Pack Square Park at 80 Court Plaza in Asheville, A-B Tech at 340 Victoria Road in Asheville, and Black Mountain Ingles. FEMA assistance for undocumented immigrants is limited but available. Undocumented immigrants can apply on behalf of their minor child (under 18 years of age) for FEMA cash assistance (Individuals and Households Program Assistance) if you live together. To learn more, visit the FEMA website.